Pakistan elections set for October 6

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will seek re-election on October 6, despite legal challenges in the Supreme Court and slumping popularity, officials announced yesterday.

US ally General Musharraf has said he will retire from the army if elected by parliament and provincial assemblies. His allies have a majority in those bodies, but opposition parties are trying to block his plan, and there is growing speculation he is finally losing his grip on power after taking control in a coup eight years ago.The Supreme Court is hearing a set of petitions challenging Musharraf’s right to retain his dual role, the legality of being elected while in uniform, and whether he should be allowed to get a mandate from the sitting assemblies before they are dissolved for a general election due by mid-January.The outcome of the political crisis is of keen interest to the United States, which counts on Musharraf’s support.Nampa-ReutersHis allies have a majority in those bodies, but opposition parties are trying to block his plan, and there is growing speculation he is finally losing his grip on power after taking control in a coup eight years ago.The Supreme Court is hearing a set of petitions challenging Musharraf’s right to retain his dual role, the legality of being elected while in uniform, and whether he should be allowed to get a mandate from the sitting assemblies before they are dissolved for a general election due by mid-January.The outcome of the political crisis is of keen interest to the United States, which counts on Musharraf’s support.Nampa-Reuters